Finding the right lighting for your home is important, and so is choosing the right bulbs for every room. Do you want a warm and inviting atmosphere or a well-lit work area to see every detail? Learn which LED bulbs have the color temperature you prefer.

Warm white and cool white refer to color temperature, which is measured in kelvins (K). The higher the number of kelvins, the whiter—or cooler—the light. The lower the number, the yellower—or warmer—the light. For a color similar to that of an incandescent bulb, opt for a LED bulb between 2,700 and 3,000 K.

Follow these steps to find out what type of lighting you need to create the mood you want:

  1. In each room, try out the different color temperatures LED bulbs offer (warm white, soft white or cool white).
  2. Determine the type of bulb that would work best for each of your fixtures.

Living Room

To create a pleasant environment, try placing several diffuse, warm-colored lights around the room rather than one strong lamp.

Opt for LED bulbs with a color temperature of warm white for general lighting and neutral white for your work area.

Recessed lighting
Directional lighting
  • Bulb shape: reflector, parabolic
  • Type of lighting: wide or narrow beam, diffuse or focused light
  • Bulb models: GU10, MR-16, BR30, BR-40, PAR-20, PAR-30, PAR38
Table or floor lamp:
Omni-directional lighting
  • Bulb shape: classic
  • Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
  • Bulb models: A-15, A-19
Wall sconce
Omni-directional lighting
  • Bulb shape: classic
  • Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
  • Bulb models: A-15, A-19
Decorative lighting
  • Bulb shape: candle
  • Type of lighting: decorative bulbs
  • Bulb models: B-10, B-11, B-13
Hanging light fixture:
Omni-directional lighting
  • Bulb shape: classic
  • Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
  • Bulb models: A-15, A-19
Ceiling lamp
Omni-directional lighting
  • Bulb shape: classic
  • Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
  • Bulb models: A-15, A-19
Decorative lighting
  • Bulb shape: globe
  • Type of lighting: decorative bulbs
  • Bulb models: G-9, G-16.5, G-25
Ceiling fan
Omni-directional lighting
  • Bulb shape: classic
  • Type of lighting: general purpose bulbs
  • Bulb models: A-15, A-19
Decorative lighting
  • Bulb shape: globe
  • Type of lighting: decorative bulbs
  • Bulb models: G-9, G-16.5, G-25
Hanging lamp or chandelier
Decorative lighting
  • Bulb shape: candle
  • Type of lighting: decorative bulbs
  • Bulb models: B-10, B-11, B-13

LED bulb shapes

LED bulbs: globe, regular, candle and three types of reflectors.

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